Struggling Edinburgh families given surplus food from supermarkets

Charities across Edinburgh and the Lothians helped supermarket chain Aldi donate around 6,644 meals to people in need at Christmas.

The retailer paired its branches with local charities, community groups and food banks to make the most of unsold fresh and chilled food after the stores closed on December 24.

Altogether around 210 tonnes of food were donated throughout the UK, with 750 groups distributing more than 500,000 meals.

The scheme, Aldi’s largest donation to date, helped 10 charitable groups in Edinburgh and the Lothians deliver much-needed festive fare to struggling families at a time when many people are experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity due to Covid-19.

And Aldi is repeating the initiative on New Year’s Eve, when it expects to donate a further 200,000 meals across the country.

Aldi has also worked with partner Neighbourly to prioritise donations to charities and community groups focused on feeding children over the school Christmas holidays.

The festive food donations are part of Aldi’s partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that links businesses to charitable organisations. Under the partnership, all of Aldi’s 900 UK stores now donate surplus food to good causes seven days a week, all year round.

Luke Peech, managing director of corporate responsibility at Aldi UK, said: “We’re proud to support good causes across Edinburgh and the Lothians this festive period, helping them to provide fresh and filling meals over the Christmas period.

Ten Edinburgh and Lothian charities distributed surplus food from Aldi

“The feedback has been overwhelming and we’re really pleased to have extended the initiative, so we can do what we can for those in need within the community in what was an incredibly tough year for so many.”

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